Answers for the 2007 Quiz's

1. The orthomolecular specialist Dr. Murphee wrote that ‘increasing X levels is beneficial for 95% of my patients” What was he referring to?

The neurotransmitter serotonin. Dr. Murphree typically uses the 5-HTP supplement to increase serotonin in his chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia patients. um On Viruses in CFS. Learn more about 5-HTP and ME/CFS.

2. What do Dr. Bateman, Dr. Bested and Dr. Klimas all agree is the most essential symptom to treat in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Sleep - check out the Sleep Section on this website

3. In From Fatigued to Fantastic, Dr. Teitelbaum, a well known chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) physician states that at times he uses small doses of up to how many different prescription drugs in order to get his patients to sleep?

Six - learn about sleep prescription drugs and ME/CFS.

4. Who is the one patient advocate on the CFS Federal Advisory Committee and which group does she come from?

Rebecca Artman is associated with the PANDORA support/advocacy group based in Florida. See the CFSAC summaries on this website.

5. Which of these prominent chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) physicians does not a have personal connection to ME/CFS? Dr. Teitelbaum/Dr. Bateman/Dr. Chia/Dr. Friedberg

None of them; Dr. Teitelbaum had ME/CFS, Dr. Friedberg, a clinical psychologist, still has ME/CFS, Dr. Bateman’s sister had ME/CFS and Dr. Chia’s son, who’s largely recovered, did as well.

6. The Whittemore-Peterson Neuro-immune Institute is the first private/state research/education CFS institute in the U.S. Harvey and Annette Whittemore make up the Whittemore part; who does Peterson refer to?

Along with Paul Cheney Dr. Daniel Peterson was at ground zero of the Incline Village ‘outbreak’ in the  mid 1980’s that propelled chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) onto the national scene. He has been treating ME/CFS patients ever since. The Whittemore-Peterson Institute will open in 2010.

7. Which dynamic new ME/CFS Support group got Senator Orrin Hatch to open and close one of their conferences?

The OFFER organization founded by Dr. Lucinda Bateman and based in Salt Lake City.

8. “I Had a Mind Like a Steel Trap, and I Ended Up With a Colander for a Brain" – What CFS-like disease was this person referring to?

A significant percentage of post-cancer patients exhibit CFS-like symptoms including what they call ‘chemo-brain’. They also display a number of similar laboratory findings. For more check out the 2007 March/April issue of Phoenix Rising.

9. What national leader not only works on ME/CFS but also married the son of a prominent ME/CFS patient?

Kim McCleary, the CEO and President of the CFIDS Association of America.

(1) Dr. Bateman’s OFFER  ME/CFS/FM organization (Organization for Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Education and Research) Salt Lake City, Utah is integrating patient treatment, research, education, advocacy and University and health provider outreach. (We’ll hear more about OFFER at an upcoming edition of Phoenix Rising.  

(2) At the May 16th, 2007 CFSAC meeting Dr. Reeves said he believes CFS is not a disease but a kind of complex ‘illness from which various diseases spring’. He also said ME/CFS is a ‘mind/body illness” (We’ll hear more from Dr. Reeves and the CFSAC meeting in an upcoming edition of Phoenix Rising).

(3) In a startlingly honest statement Dr. John Agwunobi, the Asst. Secretary of Health, told the federal advisory committee for CFS, the CFSAC  that despite evidence showing that ME/CFS affects at least a million people in the US and costs the US economy approximately 25 billion dollar a year that “You still have to convince the institutions of the importance of this fight”.     

(4) The founder of the Vermont CFIDS Association, Rik Carlson, is a huge cat lover.

(5). Lynne Matallana and Karen Lee Richards first met in person in Los Angeles in 2000, three years after forming the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). Lynne and Karen met through an online chat group. The NFA is now the largest nonprofit organization working to support people with fibromyalgia and other chronic  pain illnesses

(6). The third edition of “From Fatigued to Fantastic” by Dr. Teitelbaum has just been released. From Fatigued to Fantastic was first published in 1997.

(7) In the Nov.  2006 issue of Lyndonville News Dr. David Bell reported that Intravenous saline was “all things considered, it is the most effective treatment for severe ME/CFS that I have found in my 21 years of looking. But it has serious drawbacks and risks” (Watch for more on Intravenous Saline in the future as a comprehensive treatment section is built on the Phoenix Rising website.)  

(8) At the May 16^th, 2007 CFSAC meeting, Dr. John said his response is “Do you believe in congestive heart failure”? Congestive heart failure is simply a gross syndrome of cardiac dysfunction.

(9) The beginning of the Whittemore-Peterson Neuroimmune Institute of Reno, Nevada – the first state ME/CFS Research/Treatment/Education facility. Read more about this exciting facility and see more pictures at the Wisconsin CFS Association's  Site.  

(10). Oprah – June 24^th, 1998. – (See an upcoming report on the May 2007 meeting).